tonnes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tonnes" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a unit of weight equivalent to 1,000 kilograms, commonly used in contexts involving large quantities or mass. Example: "The shipment contained over 50 tonnes of goods, which required special handling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Weighing almost six tonnes and measuring 4 metres (13ft) square, the giant slab of milk chocolate has broken the record for the world's largest chocolate bar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The continent accounts for nearly half of all world coffee imports – more than 3m tonnes each year.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you accept that adding 30 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere every year is a bad thing, then you have to accept that someone should do something about it.

The Guardian

About 90m tonnes of animal waste is also produced in the UK each year, only a tiny portion of which is used for energy production.

The Guardian

The ship was carrying 1,150 tonnes of fish, but had only 50 tonnes of fuel, Velmeskin said.

The Guardian

But the price outlook remains bleak, with an extra 200m tonnes of the steel-making ingredient expected to be dumped on the market over the next few years.

The Guardian - Business

Lurking in the background is Brazilian giant Vale which is planning a $20bn investment to expand production by another 90m tonnes by 2018.

The Guardian - Business

GVK said the mine, located near the Queensland town of Alpha, is expected to last for at least 30 years, producing up to 30m tonnes of thermal coal a year for export.

The Guardian

At a cost of £2.25m – on top of a major conservation programme that was already underway – almost all the stonework is being replaced, with tonnes of stone brought from France like the original.

The Guardian

"Rather than talking in terms of tonnes of carbon dioxide," Harvey says, "it is better to talk in terms of money saved.

The Guardian

Limiting global warming to the agreed global target of 2C means staying within a 'carbon budget' of 565 GT (gigatonnes or billion tonnes).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international trade or environmental impact, use "tonnes" to ensure clarity, as it's the standard metric unit, equal to 1,000 kilograms.

Common error

Avoid using "tons" interchangeably with "tonnes". "Tons" usually refers to short tons (907.185 kilograms) or long tons (1,016.05 kilograms), which differ from the metric "tonne" (1,000 kilograms). Always specify which unit you're using for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tonnes" is as a plural noun, used to quantify mass, specifically referring to multiple metric tons. Ludwig AI confirms that it is widely used in contexts involving large quantities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tonnes" is the plural form of "tonne", a metric unit of mass equal to 1,000 kilograms. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically correct and very common term, primarily used in contexts such as news, business, and science to quantify large amounts of materials. It's crucial to differentiate "tonnes" from "tons" to avoid confusion. Alternative phrases include "metric tons" or "thousands of kilograms". Understanding its usage ensures precision in writing and communication. Key sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times frequently employ the term, highlighting its relevance in various fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

metric tons

Uses a different term for the same unit of weight, emphasizing the metric system.

thousands of kilograms

Expresses the weight in a different unit, providing a more granular perspective.

large quantities

Focuses on the abundance of the item, without specifying the exact weight.

significant amounts

Highlights the substantial nature of the quantity being discussed.

vast amounts

Emphasizes the immensity of the quantity.

substantial volumes

Highlights the large volume of the material, rather than the weight.

considerable loads

Refers to the weight being carried or transported.

massive weights

Emphasizes the heaviness of the items.

heavy loads

Simple way of expressing large weight.

gigatonnes

Expresses a much larger quantity, specifically billions of tonnes.

FAQs

How do I use "tonnes" in a sentence?

"Tonnes" is typically used to quantify large amounts of materials or substances. For example: "The country exports millions of "tonnes" of grain each year".

What's the difference between "tonnes" and "tons"?

"Tonnes" are metric tons (1,000 kilograms), while "tons" usually refer to either short tons (2,000 pounds) or long tons (2,240 pounds). Be specific to avoid confusion.

Is "tonnes" singular or plural?

"Tonnes" is the plural form of "tonne", the metric unit of mass equal to 1,000 kilograms. The singular form "tonne" is used for one unit, while "tonnes" indicates multiple units.

What are some other ways to describe large quantities besides using "tonnes"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "large quantities", "significant amounts", or specify the quantity in kilograms (e.g., "thousands of kilograms").